Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Oakley
2. Raft River
3. Lighthouse Christian
T-4. Glenns Ferry
T-4. Murtaugh
6. Shoshone
Players to Watch
Nick Hernandez, Glenns Ferry
Jack DeJong, Lighthouse Christian
Clay Silva, Lighthouse Christian
Jr. Benitez, Murtaugh
Freddy Martinez, Murtaugh
Payton Beck, Oakley
Seth Tracy, Raft River
Written by: Brandon Baney
A year ago, the Oakley Hornets were met with little resistance on their way to the Snake River Conference title. Oakley finished a perfect 10-0 in conference and 21-4 overall. Their run at state was cut short by Lakeside in a six-point loss in the opening round, but the Hornets rebounded with wins over Prairie and Liberty Charter to win the consolation crown.
Fresh off of their second 1AD1 football championship in two years, many of those same athletes will take the floor in basketball. Headlining the returners is All-Conference guard Payton Beck. The senior quarterbacked the Hornets football team this past fall.
Also returning is sophomore guard Isaac Cranney and junior forward Porter Pickett. After playing limited roles a year ago, they will be counted on for more production after the Hornets lost five seniors to graduation.
After serving as the JV coach for ten seasons, Kody Beck takes the varsity reigns at Oakley for the first time this year. "We were able to score in a variety of ways last year," Beck says. "Defense with our young guys will be key this season."
The biggest obstacle to Oakley's success in basketball is the same team that stood in their way this past football season: Raft River. The Trojans are excited about this year's team, led by second year head coach Jeff Davenport. His top assistant is Kenny Hutchinson, a member of the 1976 state champion team at Raft River, the only team to win a title in school history.
Like Oakley, Raft River was deeply affected by graduation, as eight seniors in total departed. "Ryan Spaeth was a first team all conference player and our leading scorer. We will miss his leadership and the stability he provided our offense," Davenport says. Other losses included Bodee Spencer, Kagen Knudsen, Jed Boden, Preston Rex, Blake Black, Trace Whitaker and Lee Stanger.
So who in the heck is returning for Raft River this year? Senior wing Seth Tracy and senior post Lad Hansen for starters. Behind those two is a talented and deep group of juniors ready to seize the spotlight.
"In short, we have a great junior class and I expect all of our incoming juniors to make an impact this season," Davenport says. "Tate Whitaker, Kole Spencer, Korban Hansen and Kuy Heaton will be relied upon to make up some of the scoring we lost with the graduating class."
Beyond Oakley and Raft River at the top, Lighthouse Christian is also being considered for a conference title run. The Lions are a program rich with tradition, and Beck says, "Last year they were young and they have a lot of length." Senior Clay Silva and sophomore Jack DeJong are returning All-Conference performers from a year ago.
Glenns Ferry is another team considered a dark horse in this year's conference race. "I believe Glenns Ferry will have a much better season this year," says Davenport. "They were playing very well at the end of last season and they were very young." Senior Nick Hernandez will lead the Pilots this year.
Murtaugh has a couple of talented athletes in Jr. Benitez and Freddy Martinez. The Red Devils were just 3-7 in league a year ago, but 11-14 overall.
Shoshone's splits were the exact opposite of Murtaugh. Coach Garr Ward's team went just 4-17 overall, but all four of their wins came within the conference. Shoshone went 4-6 in league last year.